Echinacea

If you have a perennial flower garden you may be growing echinacea and not even know it.  Purple coneflower is the common name of this plant and it is grown for its beautiful daisy shaped pink flowers.  (Why it is called purple coneflower is a mystery to me.)

Echinacea purpurea growing next to my husband's shed.

There are several varieties of of Echinacea including angustifolia, pallida, and purpurea.  

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According to herbalist Stephen Harrod Buhner, angustifolia has the most medicinal value in fighting antibiotic resistant bacteria and in general is superior to purpurea.  He also admits that angustifolia is less common and harder to grow (due to the challenges of germination) than purpurea.  I believe I have purpurea because my purple coneflower vigorously self seeds.

I use echinacea in tincture form at the first signs of a cold and find it extremely effective in keeping the cold from progressing.  Other people have had similar experiences.  My daughter had to work long hours for an extended period of time, knew she was getting run down, but didn't have time to be sick.  She used echinacea tincture and fire cider and stayed healthy.

A coworker used echinacea tincture and licorice root tincture after he started sneezing in the morning.  After a few doses, he felt well in the afternoon.  Now every time he feels a cold coming on he reaches for the enchinacea and licorice root and it provides instant relief for his sneezing, coughing, and congestion.

Licorice root is a great synergist, increasing the effectiveness of any herbal remedy.  Other plant synergists are ginger and black pepper/peperine.

My personal experience with this herb along with the experiences of my friends and family validate Buhner's information.  To be effective in warding off a cold or flu, the herb must be taken at the first signs of illness.  It is more effective with younger people and large frequent doses are most effective.  Herbalist Buhner emphasizes that echinacea is an immune stimulant not an immune tonic.  

The prickly center gives this plant its common name; coneflower.

Preventing colds from taking hold are just the tip of the medicinal use iceberg of echinacea.  This plant has been traditionally used to treat bronchial infections, sore throats, gums/mouth inflammation, infected wounds, enlarged glands, fevers, mumps, measles, burns, toothaches, snakebites, poisonous insect bites, stomach cramps, GI tract distress, arthritis, and rheumatism.

While many herbs do not have scientific studies to verify their health claims, echninacea has been studied in depth in Germany.  Herbalist Buhner has collected scientific research that shows echinacea to be;

• anitviral
• antibacterial
• wound healing
• anti-inflammatory
• pain relieving
• anticancer
• stimulating to the immune system

Most studies were done using the fresh juice of echinacea purpurea.

The plant material (roots, stems, leaves and blooming flowers) can be used in many different way, both fresh and dried.  The Germans collect the stems, leaves and flowers and juice them.  Other applications are teas from fresh or dried plant material and alcohol based tinctures.  The herb can also be dried and powdered and then either encapsulated or applied directly to an infected wound.

I primarily use echinacea in tincture form.  To make a tincture collect the flowering plant, root and all and infuse in 100 proof vodka for at least six weeks.  (Please see my post on tincture making for step by step instructions.)

If you want to grow the angustifolia variety of echinacea you can purchase the seeds online from Horizon Herbs.  Just know the seeds are challenging to germinate and if seedlings are available that might be your best bet.  Buhner suggests harvesting the deep tap root of angustifolia after three years.

Rosemary Gladstar believes echinacea is one of the most important herbs of our time.  She states, "Though potent and strong, it is 100 percent safe for children, the elderly, and everyone in between."

Echinacea pallida and angustifolia are being poached from wild sources and are becoming scarce in their entire native range.  If you purchase echinacea be sure that it is from a cultivated source and grown organically.

Please note: The objective of this blog is to raise awareness of alternative ways to achieve wellness and to empower you to take an active role in your health decisions.  To accomplish this, you will need to explore these subjects in greater depth and then determine what makes sense for your life.  My hope is that this information will inspire you to start your own search into ways to make your life happier, healthier and more fulfilling.